Clif CleavelandSt. Magnus Cathedral in Scotland’s Orkney Islands is currently adorned with thousands of red ceramic poppies. Each poppy commemorates the loss of a British sailor in the Battle of Jutland, which occurred 100 years ago today off the western coast of Denmark. I was privileged to visit the memorial last week.
The battle between the British Grand Fleet and the German Imperial Fleet was the largest naval engagement of World War I. The British goal was destruction of its enemy’s navy, thereby hastening the end of the war. The German aim was to reduce their enemy’s fleet and end a devastating blockage of Germany’s seaports.
Neither fleet succeeded.
Losses were high for both nations. Fourteen British and 11 German warships were sunk. More than 6,000 British sailors perished; Germany lost 2,500.
Because a large contingent of the British fleet sailed from the Orkneys, the battle has special meaning there. A commemorative service in the cathedral, performances by military bands from Germany and the United Kingdom and a variety of programs honoring sailors lost in the fierce engagement highlight today’s observance.